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Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
For Release: Immediate Contact: Cari Hepp
Date: August 23, 2001 Phone: (919) 733-5612
EASLEY PRAISES SENATE FOR TAKING STEPS TO HIRE KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS
Commends House for Moving Toward Budget Solution that Protects Education and Working Families
RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today commended the North Carolina Senate for passing a continuing resolution that releases $12.1 million in funding for additional needed kindergarten teachers. If approved by the House, the money will be released to the schools immediately so they can hire the teachers they need and make classroom assignments before the school year is too far underway. Easley also praised the House for making progress toward a revenue package that protects education and working families.
“There are far too many kindergarten classes with 26 or more students and that is simply intolerable and inexcusable,” said Easley. “When I visited Nathaniel Alexander Elementary School in Charlotte, there were five kindergarten classes with 27 students. That school and many others are ready, able and eager to hire the teachers they need as soon as they get the money. We cannot wait for the budget to pass to put needed teachers in the classroom. It is critical that we fix this problem now.”
“I have visited schools, seen the children, talked with teachers and parents; and I am convinced that waiting until a budget is passed to reduce class size will be detrimental to a five year old,” said Easley. “We need to make the classroom changes now before our children build relationships with their fellow classmates and teachers that have to be broken.”
In a letter sent today to Governor Easley, Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight and Speaker Jim Black, superintendents from twelve of the largest counties in the state asked for the Legislature to move quickly so that they can fill the teaching positions needed in order to set classes at an adequate and reasonable size.
Additionally, Easley commended the House for working to adopt a revenue package that includes the principles and priorities laid out in his statewide address last week.
“I am pleased that the House is taking steps to find the revenue needed to fulfill our fundamental obligation to provide a quality education to every child in North Carolina,” said Easley. “I will fight any effort to make deep cuts cut to education. The 3% cut proposed by some legislators would mean the elimination of 4,300 schoolteachers or the addition of two students to every classroom. This is unconscionable.”
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Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
For Release: Immediate Contact: Cari Hepp
Date: August 23, 2001 Phone: (919) 733-5612
EASLEY PRAISES SENATE FOR TAKING STEPS TO HIRE KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS
Commends House for Moving Toward Budget Solution that Protects Education and Working Families
RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today commended the North Carolina Senate for passing a continuing resolution that releases $12.1 million in funding for additional needed kindergarten teachers. If approved by the House, the money will be released to the schools immediately so they can hire the teachers they need and make classroom assignments before the school year is too far underway. Easley also praised the House for making progress toward a revenue package that protects education and working families.
“There are far too many kindergarten classes with 26 or more students and that is simply intolerable and inexcusable,” said Easley. “When I visited Nathaniel Alexander Elementary School in Charlotte, there were five kindergarten classes with 27 students. That school and many others are ready, able and eager to hire the teachers they need as soon as they get the money. We cannot wait for the budget to pass to put needed teachers in the classroom. It is critical that we fix this problem now.”
“I have visited schools, seen the children, talked with teachers and parents; and I am convinced that waiting until a budget is passed to reduce class size will be detrimental to a five year old,” said Easley. “We need to make the classroom changes now before our children build relationships with their fellow classmates and teachers that have to be broken.”
In a letter sent today to Governor Easley, Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight and Speaker Jim Black, superintendents from twelve of the largest counties in the state asked for the Legislature to move quickly so that they can fill the teaching positions needed in order to set classes at an adequate and reasonable size.
Additionally, Easley commended the House for working to adopt a revenue package that includes the principles and priorities laid out in his statewide address last week.
“I am pleased that the House is taking steps to find the revenue needed to fulfill our fundamental obligation to provide a quality education to every child in North Carolina,” said Easley. “I will fight any effort to make deep cuts cut to education. The 3% cut proposed by some legislators would mean the elimination of 4,300 schoolteachers or the addition of two students to every classroom. This is unconscionable.”
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